That reached fever pitch this week following reports Villas-Boas had been openly challenged by some of his players during a team meeting on Sunday. The 34-year-old hauled his underperforming squad in on their day off in response to the previous afternoon's Barclays Premier League defeat at Everton, something he branded their worst performance of the season.

Villas-Boas denied there had been a row during the meeting or that anyone had criticised his tactics or team selection, but asked whether all of his players backed his project, he said: "They don't have to back my project. It's the owner who backs my project."

Pressed further on whether certain individuals were against the changes he was making, he said: "That is normal."

There have been reports senior stars want Abramovich to send an SOS to Guus Hiddink to rescue Chelsea's season, which the Dutchman did three years ago when Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked.

But despite the club being in a worse position now - fifth in the Barclays Premier League - than they were then, Villas-Boas was confident his own job was under no more threat this week than last.

"I don't think so, but it's a question that you will have to ask the owner," he said ahead of Saturday's FA Cup clash with Birmingham and Champions League last-16 first leg at Napoli.

"I think the owner has full trust in me and will continue to progress with the ideas that we have. In the end, that is the objective, of getting us the best position possible in the league, plus these two trophies."